World Obesity Day: What health hazards are you at risk of?

On World Obesity Day, take a look at some health hazards of being overweight.

Obesity Obesity is a rising concern in our society today and can cause several health-related problems. Let’s look at what are the various health hazards of being obese:

Type 2 Diabetes High Blood pressure Cholesterol Acidity Early Heart Diseases Gall Stones It doesn’t just end there; there are also a few other conditions that you and I won’t normally associate obesity with. These are:

Joint Pain: According to Dr Mohan Desai, Orthopaedic Surgeon, KEM hospital, Mumbai, who specialises in hip, shoulder and knee ailments, “Carrying too much weight on one’s body directly puts more stress on the joints, especially the weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips. When you weigh more than you should, you’re putting more force on that cartilage. And when you put more force on the cartilage, it’s going to wear out quicker.”

PCOD: Dr Shashank Shah, HOD, Dept. of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, Fortis Hospital Mulund, Mumbai, is of the opinion that, “The problems resulting from obesity like Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease can lead to infertility.” PCOD is a condition where there is an imbalance in a woman’s hormonal level which leads weight gain, excess hair growth, erratic menstrual cycles etc.

Sexual Dysfunction: Being overweight can cause men to face sexual problems like erectile dysfunction.

Some types of Cancer: Research has linked obesity to various types of cancers including cancer of the breast, kidney as well as endometrial cancer, colon cancer, gallbladder cancer etc.

Sleep Apnea: It is commonly seen in people who are overweight. Severe cases of sleep apnea can also lead to heart attack.

Also Read: 1 billion people globally predicted to become obese by 2025